Pharmacology is a continually evolving discipline, which is why it’s essential for healthcare workers to stay current with the latest developments and regulatory requirements. Continuing education (CE) in pharmacology not only ensures regulatory compliance, but also provides training in the latest industry standards, thus fostering growth and expertise.
What Pharmacology Continuing Education is Required for a Florida APRN?
In Florida, there are specific required pharmacology CE hours for Nurse Practitioner (APRN) license renewal. Every licensed APRN in Florida must complete a 3-hour course on the Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances. This 3-hour course must be offered by an accredited CE provider who can credit pharmacology hours.
The Florida Board of Nursing specifies that The Safe and Effective Prescription of Controlled Substances course must be provided by a professional association accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 credit, The American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Renew Now CE is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Provider number: P0557 and the Florida Board of Nursing 20-18921, course results are reported to CE Broker. Renew Now CE’s pharmacology courses offer opportunities for you to learn about the latest drug therapies, treatments and practices. By continuing your education, you not only meet regulatory mandates, but also benefit your career and the quality of your care.
Pharmacology CE in FL enables practitioners to keep up with these changes and improvements. Professionals who take CE courses can stay up to date on drug interactions, side effects, and the most recent pharmaceutical guidelines. This constant learning contributes to enhanced patient care and pharmaceutical safety.
What Pharmacology CE is Required for Autonomous Practice in Florida?
Pharmacology CE is a component of application for APRNs in Florida who wish to obtain an autonomous practice license.
According to the Florida Board of Nursing, an initial applicant for autonomous APRN practice must complete the following:
- at least 3,000 clinical practice hours under the supervision of an allopathic or osteopathic physician within the past 5 years. These hours may include clinical instructional hours. [See Section 464.0123(1)(c) F.S. for complete requirements];
- three graduate-level semester hours, or the equivalent, in differential diagnosis and 3 graduate-level semester hours, or the equivalent (link on equivalency), in pharmacology completed within the past 5 years (documentation required); and
- not been subject to disciplinary action as specified in Section 456.072 F.S. or Section 464.018 F.S., or any similar disciplinary action in any state or jurisdiction within the past 5 years.
For initial application of an autonomous practice license, forty-five (45) Continuing Education credits in pharmacology offered by the entities set forth in Section 464.013(3)(b), F.S. and Rule 64B9-4.002(2), F.A.C. can be used in place of three graduate-level semester hours in the past 5 years. The pharmacology course content must address the therapeutic uses and biological effects of drugs.
Advantages of Online Pharmacology CE Courses
Online courses offer you the flexibility of continuing your education at your own pace and convenience. This gives you the advantage of maintaining your own schedule while also continuing your education at your own pace. Online Pharmacology CE courses frequently feature interactive modules, video lectures, and up-to-date reading materials, which make learning more engaging and effective. These features not only help you grasp complex pharmacological concepts more thoroughly but also enable you to apply your knowledge practically, all while balancing your professional and personal commitments.
How Pharmacology CE Improves Professional Practice
Participating in Pharmacology CE not only broadens one’s knowledge, but also improves practical skills. It prepares healthcare workers to manage complex pharmaceutical regimens and deliver more effective patient counseling. Furthermore, it promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are necessary for negotiating the obstacles of modern healthcare environments.
Accredited CE Courses and Their Importance
Accreditation assures that a CE course reaches the highest level of quality and relevance. Accredited Pharmacology CE courses in FL are recognized by professional boards and organizations, making them valuable for license renewal and career progression. Enrolling in recognized programs ensures that your education is credible and valuable.
How many hours of pharmacology are needed to renew an ANCC board certification?
To avoid retesting, an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certified nurse must renew their certification before it lapses and demonstrate proof of completion of the mandatory 75 continuing education hours. Twenty-five of the mandatory hours must be in pharmacology.
Certification renewal eligibility when your certification credential is CURRENT. All requirements must be met within the current 5-year certification period.
- Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or the professional legally recognized equivalent in another country.
- For National Healthcare Disaster certificants, hold the same license, registration, certificate, or degree used for initial test eligibility.
- Hold a current ANCC board certification.
- Complete the Mandatory 75 continuing education hours. All certificants renewing a CNS or NP certification are required to complete 25 hours of pharmacology as a portion of the mandatory 75 CH.
- Complete at least one (1) of the eight certification renewal categories in its entirety. (See pages 7-8 for additional information regarding the renewal categories.)
- Pay the renewal fee.
If you do lapse without renewing on time, the ANCC has a policy for reactivation. You can read about it in their policy: Certification Renewal Requirements
The Eight Certification Renewal Categories
- Continuing Education Hours – 75 hours in the certification specialty. This category can be chosen in addition to the Mandatory 75 Continuing Education Hours.
- Academic Credits – Five semester credits or six quarter credits of academic courses in your certification specialty.
- Presentations – One or more presentations totaling five (5) clock hours in your certification specialty.
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement Project (QI), Publication, or Research.
- Preceptor Hours – A minimum of 120 hours as a preceptor for students in an academic program related to your specialty.
- Professional Service – Two or more consecutive years of volunteer service during your certification period with an international, national, state, or local healthcare-related organization; accepted volunteer activities include serving on boards of directors, committees, editorial boards, review boards, task forces, and medical missions.
- Practice Hours – A minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your certification specialty, completed within five years preceding the date on your renewal application submission. Practice hours are not required to renew your certification.
- Test or Portfolio – Sit for and pass the current test.
Continuing Education Hours
Some important highlights regarding continuing education requirements:
- There are 75 mandatory continuing education hours, of which 25 must be in pharmacology.
- You can choose one of your certification renewal categories as an additional 75 continuing education hours for a total of 150 continuing education hours.
- For the mandatory hours, at least 60 of the 75 must be formally approved hours, i.e., hours from an accredited provider or approver of nursing education, for example, an ANCC approved provider.
- The hours can also be approved through Joint Accreditation or AMA, continuing medical education (CME) hours.
- You can claim credit for a specific course just once. Even if you take a course multiple times in the five-year renewal window, you can only claim credit once.
For more information on renewing your ANCC license, visit the Certification Renewal Requirements.
Complete your 25 hours of required pharmacology here:
25 Hours Pharmacology All-Inclusive CE Package
What is in the 25 Hour Pharmacology Package?
Courses in the 25 Hour Pharmacology package:
- Pharmacology 10 hours – Common Primary Care and Med-Surg Medications – ANCC approved. Course Expiration Date: 5/31/2027
- Abused Meds 6 Hours. Course Expiration Date: 7/31/2027
- Cannabis 3 Hours. Course Expiration Date: 7/31/2027
- Opioids – The Uncontrolled Epidemic. Course Expiration Date: 7/31/2027
Flexible, Accredited Pharmacology CE Courses for Healthcare Professionals
In order to accommodate the hectic schedules of healthcare professionals,Renew Now CE has developed thorough and approved Pharmacology CE courses. With a focus on quality education and flexibility, they are dedicated to assisting professionals in achieving their career objectives and improving patient outcomes. The courses are designed to deliver the most up-to-date information in pharmacology.
